Burundi agricultural input shortages and adaptation

To address persistent shortages of agricultural inputs, the Burundian Ministry of Agriculture authorized agricultural cooperatives and large-scale farmers to apply for permits to import chemical fertilizers. This measure follows difficulties faced by FOMI, the country’s sole fertilizer manufacturing plant, which has struggled to secure foreign currency for raw materials. While the government scheduled reimbursements for farmers who did not receive supplies for the 2026 cropping season, civil society organizations expressed concerns regarding potential oligopolies and the protection of citizens’ rights.

In regions such as Nyabiraba, farmers have called for improved access to fertilizers, noting that combining organic manure with inorganic products improves crop volume. While the decision to allow the commercialization of industrial and biological fertilizers was welcomed, there are calls for the Institute of Agronomic Sciences of Burundi to monitor products for toxicity. Additionally, farmers in Gitega province report a lack of technical and financial support for agroecology, highlighting a broader gap in climate adaptation funding.